Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of the conference to which I referred was to allow for a wide exchange of views. I understand two speakers from the Traveller community spoke in favour of Travellers being identified as an ethnic minority, while one other spoke against this. Debate and discussion on the issue are ongoing. We must be careful that in taking this route we do not make decisions that will have unintended consequences. Other Departments are involved in the consultation process. It is hoped that when the report of the conference is published in the new year, it will lead to further discussion. I am conscious of the issues involved. However, we must ensure decisions are not made that separate Travellers from the wider community. All of the legislation to which I made reference, including the anti-discrimination legislation and the European Union directive which we have transposed in a specific way within legislation, has been designed to ensure Travellers are not discriminated as part of the wider community. An important question is what advantages there would be to the Traveller community being named as an ethnic minority. For example, there are particular difficulties within the Traveller community in that the estimated life span of Travellers is substantially lower than that of members of the settled community. The question that arises is whether a separate ethnic identity would bring about a change in this regard, or is there a need for other issues to be addressed? I am conscious that this is an important issue. However, I want to ensure it does not become a flag of convenience in that if a change is effected, the assumption will be that all is well with the world and there are no other issues to be addressed. I also want to ensure that if we go down this route, members of the Traveller community favour it and that it will not give rise to unintended consequences and create unexpected difficulties. This issues requires wide consultation with other Departments.

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